First let me say how my heart will forever be a fan of Marshall! While capturing his family session… I watched how Marshall was quick to watch out for his Mom and Dad. It was the sweetest thing to watch how Marshall would keep his eyes on them and even around them. Making sure to never let them leave his line of sight. As I worked with The Watkins family I just adored how these 3 would love on one another, and just how Marshall was quick to make sure he got his hugs and kisses too.

As a photographer I always try to learn about my couples/families as I work with them. And being a fan of Marshall I just had to know more about his story. So of course I just have to share with you all too!

Mikaela & Colton were High school sweethearts, and grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania. They ended up moving to Virginia because of military orders. (Colton a SSG in the Army) Just after they got married, Colton had received orders to deploy to the Middle East. During that time they wanted to bring a pup into their family but knew it wasn’t the right time with Colton getting ready to deploy. So they chose to wait. But God had other plans for this couple. Just before Colton deployed, they had went to a bonfire with some mutual friends they knew. They said they had ended up hanging out all night long with this incredible, 6 month old pitbull – a woods dog named Marshall. They had learned Marshall’s owners were preparing to move across country, and didn’t feel they could take the dog with them. But unexpectedly the owners offered Marshall to them that night. And of course how could Mikaela and Colton say no!

While Colton was deployed Marshall became the perfect companion for his new Mom while his Dad was overseas. You could just see the love Mikaela and Colton shared for Marshall while they shared their family’s story with me. It was amazing to witness… And even more AMAZING to see just how thankful Marshall is for them as well.

You can see just how thankful this family is for one another… And how thankful they are for such a hilarious, gentle, big hearted, weirdo dog in their family. The Lord truly made sure Marshall got placed with the perfect Mom and Dad.

And as you can see with these images… All the LOVE, BEAUTY, AND THANKFULNESS THAT POURS FROM THIS FAMILY FOR ONE ANOTHER…. Is truly a GIFT like no other. ❤